PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, finding that there was no credible supporting evidence to corroborate his claimed in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and polysubstance abuse was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, the claimed stressors are not verified, and his claims were filed after October 31, 2000. His claim for direct service connection for alcohol abuse and substance abuse is precluded by law due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and entitlement to nonservice-connected pension based on his inability to follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his mental health conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is related to his verified in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The other service-connected conditions are not entitled to increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 11, 2000, for the award of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's PTSD manifested to a degree higher than 50 percent prior to February 11, 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been manifested by deficiencies in family relations, judgment, thinking, work and mood, impaired impulse control, a rambling and paranoid thought process, and an apparent inability to maintain effective relationships. As of January 8, 2008, the schedular criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the need to obtain SSA disability benefits records.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, finding that no claim was filed prior to October 14, 2003.

The Veteran's PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and nerve damage to the right leg are all rated based on their direct service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD (70%) and lumbar spine disability (20%) have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD has been increased to a 50 percent rating effective January 29, 2009.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or substantially contributed to by his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that the causes of his death were due to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent, reflecting total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD is granted based on the medical evidence and his reported combat experiences.

The Veteran's PTSD is productive of impairment that more nearly approximates total than deficiencies in most areas, warranting a 70 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 70 percent. The evidence shows occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but does not demonstrate total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD causes serious but not total social and occupational impairment, warranting a higher initial disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent.